Thursday, January 31, 2008

Water

Is drinking water from a water filtration system that last had its filter changed in October 2006 just as good as drinking tap/unfiltered water, or is something nasty living in that unchanged filter?

Governors

Why I think Governors would make better presidents than Senators:

1. They have experience "governing" something.

2. They are familiar with being involved with the executive branch of government, rather than the legislative.

3. Presidents are members of the executive branch of government, not the legislature.

4. Governors are familiar with overseeing all aspects of government, only on a smaller scale, from their tenure as governors.

5. Governors tend to campaign AFTER completing their terms as Governor, Senators tend to walk-away from the duties to which they were elective (for the legislature) only to campaign for their next venture.

That being said, I think it is HORRIFIC, that the United States Senate is holding back on voting on the tax rebate bill until the three Senators running for president decide to come back to Washington and do the job they are CURRENTLY elected to do.

If I quit showing up for my daily job, do you think I'd be worthy of a PROMOTION? What makes them so different?

Granted I have mixed feelings regarding this rebate, but something so crucial to the fears of the American people being generated by the news, politicians, Wall Street, etc., what more of a chance to you want to step up and be a leader, and a humble leader at that! How much of a difference could you make if you swung by Washington, and made your vote? Or are you scared to let the American people see you vote, right before Super Tuesday? Ah, ha! I think we may be onto something kids!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Unique

How would you live differently if you really believed God had created you for a unique mission, one that only you could accomplish?

~Jon Walker

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Rebates

Sometimes I get a chuckle out of financial decisions that are two-sided coins. Today the government moved forward with their "let's give the economy a boost" plan to send tax rebates out to people by June 2008. So many things about this intrigue me.

1. Currently they are still fighting as to whether or not this rebate will go to all taxpayers, or all Americans...If they go the "taxpayer" route, do we think this will mean an increase in tax filings from people who usually "squeak" by unnoticed? Will these people even realize you have to file your tax return to get the rebate, or will they just assume it'll be coming to them in the mail and then get pissed off at the "big bad government" when their check doesn't arrive? If they go the "all Americans" route, what kind of back-lash do you anticipate? What in the world will this do to the Republicans? Won't think kill any chance of the election of a Republic president if there is significant back-lash from the sidelines as to why/how non-taxpaying individuals are getting a tax refund? Last I heard the plan was going to half the amount of the rebate and spread it around to non-taxpayers...

2. I like that this theory basically plays on the principle that Americans are bad with their money...at least the lower and middle classes which this rebate is targeted toward (going under the assumption currently that the rebate will phase out at $75,000 and $150,000 for individuals/families respectively). By putting the money in these hands, you are basically assuming what? That's right kids, that it will be spent! Off-hand, how many of these people carry credit-card or other consumer debt? How's their emergency fund looking (got at 3-6 months all safe in an Orange account)? Yeah...the government basically is riding on the fact that Americans will spend this money (much like they do ANY tax refund) on things as opposed to spending it to pay off debt or build up their savings. Like how the recognition of our poor spending habits as a nation are attempting to be used for "good"? It makes me shake my head and sigh. (Hopefully, the tax breaks for businesses will help...)

3. I shudder every time I hear Hillary say E-conomics instead of ec-onimcs...one of my biggest pet peeves...but really, I can't listen to people when they start off anything with E-conomics...it's not like E-mail...or E-business...(I will admit I let my father slide with this one...but really...there are so many words that come out strange when he says them...I just chalk it up to the accent!)

In closing, please "spend" your rebate check wisely...or risk chastising by yours truly.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Tuesday

Yesterday was a big day. It was the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. It was also the day Health Ledger died. Both events bring about certain realities that are so important for us to accept.

1. Life is short, precious, and meant for glorifying God.
2. Babies are never "lost" the simply have gone home sooner than we thought they would.
3. Famous people need Jesus just as much as you and I do.

Skinny

I am a huge fan of the new Starbucks lingo. For the past 2+ years I have been ordering my "usual":
Tall Sugar-Free Hazelnut Skim Latte

Sometimes even ordering it as:
Tall Extra-Hot Sugar-Free Hazelnut Skim Latte

Now, they have come up with some short-hand speak for this very situation, helping to cut down on the confusion by the jumble so many words can create.

Skinny.

Now I can order a Tall Skinny Hazelnut Latte and all is well. I get the drink I want, no one stares at me as if to say, "Woah, Ms Fancy Starbucks Regular with her Special Order Requests..."

Life is good.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Smoke

So yesterday a friend told me about a problem with her apartment building. Apparently the new tenant in the apartment below hers is a smoker. My friend is a severe asthmatic. Within a few hours after the new guy moved in she had to call 911 and spend the night in the hospital to straighten out her breathing. She has been trying to work with her landlord to get her heating and air conditioning unit fixed (since it is obviously pulling in air from his apartment to heat her home...and thus drawing in the smoke) which was going no where. Apparently they thought all breathing issues were smell issues, not "lungs closing up and suffocating" issues that could potentially leave her dead in her apartment alone (some people are a little...slow). They told her to put dryer sheets in her vents to mask the odor. Awesome.

While telling us her troubles, another friend mentioned that perhaps she could try talking to the smoking man. "Maybe he is trying to quit smoking and he needs a little extra kick-start." I remember looking at her with a puzzled look (if I could do an awesome one-eye-brow raise, it totally would have happened). I thought to myself, "That's insane. Why even put crazy ideas in this girl's head?"

Well this morning I got an email from my friend. In it she announced that she had spoken with the smoking man and guess what? (Like you even need to guess where this is going...) Smoking man was INDEED trying to quit smoking and was even already on medication to help him out. While my friend was standing in his doorway he collected all of his ash-trays and put them into the garbage. Apparently he did need a little extra motivation. The two of them bonded on their love for cats and a shared hatred for their land lord (apparently since he moved in he has had some troubles of his own with his apartment).

Lessons Re-Learned:
1. We are called to share God's love in real and practical ways.
2. Don't put my God in a box.
3. My God has a sense of humor.
4. My God is all powerful.
5. My God is awesome.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Movies

This Christmas "break" we watched a lot of movies (both old and new)...
  1. Ocean's 13
  2. The Heartbreak Kid
  3. Mr. Bean's Holiday
  4. The Kingdom
  5. The Polar Express
  6. Evan Almighty
  7. Ratatouille
  8. Shrek the Third
  9. Live Free or Die Hard
  10. Fletch Lives
  11. Casper
  12. State Fair
  13. The Addams Family

Obviously we have discovered something new. That something is HDNet Movies, a new offering for us via our cable provider (actually Verizon Fios, but whatever). HDNet Movies presents their features commercial free. I have fallen in love. I am actually surprised how many "old" movies we watched...Hubby must have felt sorry for poor sick little me or something!

And now for some superlatives from the previously mentioned list of movies...

Favorite First Watch
Live Free or Die Hard (close tie with Evan Almighty which really surprised me)

Least Favorite First Watch
The Heartbreak Kid

Favorite Re-Watch
Ocean's 13

Least Favorite Re-Watch
Casper

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Resolutions

I have resolved to be Great in 2008.

To accomplish this I have a list of resolutions:
1. Better "life" schedule.
2. Maintain healthy weight.
3. Pass CPA Exam by Thanksgiving 2008.

Now this may seem like fairly vague resolutions (with the exception of #3, I mean, how much clearer can you get?) but there is a great deal that goes behind each of these things. Take #1, it basically holds everything together. I desperately need a new "life" schedule, one that emphasises what I crave, long for, and desire. One that puts God first and all else falls behind...one that is not focused completely on distractions, but one full of positive influences and attainable goals. #2 is rather vague in that in 2007 I succeeded in maintaining my weight, although not quite the weight I was going for...or more correctly the body "tone" I was hoping for. Exercise has got to become a part of my routine...the "right" weight may have been a poor focus for 2007, neglecting to focus on how the weight was attained or not attained was definitely not a smart idea. This brings us back to #1, my schedule needs rearranged...whether that means planning out more productive grocery store trips so that I can eat healthier foods, or more time to walk around the neighborhood or walk while watching TV...morning Pilate's? The update to the "life" schedule will definitely be crucial to achieving #2. And then there's #3, this has probably been on my list of "To-Dos" since 2004 when I first became eligible to sit for the exam. Working through grad school, getting married, working 60-70 hours at Job 1, recovering from Job 1, successfully becoming a CFE....sometimes life gets in the way. The first steps have been taken to ensure the completion of #3...and to successfully achieve this certification, a great deal of sacrifice and adjustment to the "life" schedule is sure to be in order.

Basically, I need a new schedule. A new routine. One that does not neglect my family, my responsibilities, and most importantly my God.

Here's to being Great in 2008!